Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is my favourite festival on earth and after 15 years (in a row) of attending this amazing event, I would love to share the 1 or 2 things I know… on how to have one of the most ultimate experiences at Carnival!
About Carnival
Carnival was introduced to T&T during the late 18th century by the French, whom would parade down the streets for the two days preceding Lent. This tradition was parallel by the African slaves whom eventually turned this celebration into one of the greatest festivals of all time! They influenced the music (pan, calypso, soca), the costumes and large array of events to occur during the “Carnival season”. A few of these events include Kings and Queens competitions, Steel Pan competitions, Kiddies Carnival, where the atmosphere is pulsating with non-stop positive energy.
How to Attend/ Play Carnival?
Start your journey to Trinidad Carnival by picking a costume in a band i.e. your ticket to Carnival! This costume allows you to be a part of a band or “play in a band” that is moving along a pre-planned and secured route throughout the streets of Port of Spain (Trinidad’s capital city).
Carnival is a competition of bands in which masqueraders parade in beautifully hand decorated costumes competing to win the best band of the year. The largest and more up-beat bands are: Tribe, Bliss, Harts, Fantasy, Island People, Trini Revellers! For the last few years, I have played with Bliss Carnival Band in the Bikini Cabana section and I must say that this band sure is worth every penny and is unbelievably fun!
Bliss launches its costumes for the following year about 6 months before Carnival so usually in the summer months of July/August. Check out Bliss’s social media platforms and website here to keep up to date on all events:
Bliss’s costumes usually sell out within weeks of their summer band launch so best to purchase as soon as you decide to visit T&T for Carnival!
Carnival Monday
Mad J’ouvert
If the hot sun and small bikini costumes are not for you, I highly recommend taking part in J’ouvert. J’ouvert (pronounced “Jou-vay”) comes from French patois meaning ‘daybreak’. It signifies the official start of this two day festival across T&T.
J’ouvert is an event that starts in the wee hours of the morning around 3am – where you arrive in Port of Spain with an old pair of clothes and sneakers or ones you don’t mind getting dirty. You will parade with your J’ouvert band in the streets until sunrise where you will be covered in mud, paint, powder or even cocoa powder. If you are lucky, you may come across some blue or red devils that blow out fire against the pitch black sky of the gorgeous Carnival night. Best to organize your J’ouvert ticket/package a few weeks before Carnival and I highly recommend my Band from 2018 called “Mad J’ouvert”.
You can follow find more information here on Mad J’ouvert:
Bliss Carnival
The Carnival Bands usually start around 11am in Port of Spain. I highly recommend getting a driver, as driving back home after the festivities may not be the best plan unless you have a designated driver! Carnival Monday is also known for Monday wear i.e. another mini costume usually a self-designed / bedazzled monokini costume …. so you can save your amazing carnival costume for the Tuesday parade.
Make sure to pack a little bag with essentials such as phone, id, cash, makeup, sunscreen and camera!
Your Carnival band will provide you with food and drinks and if you join Bliss Carnival Band, you will be well taken care of; even with a glass of bubbles! Take your time as the sun is hot but enjoy yourself and dance to the sweet soca music until sundown! Have a good night’s rest as Tuesday is going to be a long but fabuolous day.
Carnival Tuesday
The bands start much earlier than Monday and everyone is in their full Carnival costume ready to cross the STAGE. It is quite the sight! Especially at the stage where the costumes come together to present a show to a range of judges, whom select the a winner to be the band with the most awe-inspiring costumes for that year! It is a long day and there are even after parties in secret locations for selected bands. Have a great time and keep dancing until you can’t anymore!
For more information on all the amazing events during the Carnival season, check out my other article on Carnival here. It also outlines all the essential items needed for the festival and how to book your trip!
An awesome video done by TF1 (number 1 station in france) on Carnival for 2018 with Bliss and myself – see here.
Other articles for more information on the best places to stay, the best places to eat and top activities to do in this beautiful sister isle nation can be found here.
Grab your friends, choose your favourite costumes, book your flight and get some good dancing shoes as this is a once in a lifetime experience!